Abstract: Alkyl mercaptans, especially sec-alkyl mercaptans, are oxidized to paraffin sulfonates by reaction with oxygen in a tert-alkanol solvent in the presence of a stoichiometric deficiency of base such as alkali hydroxide or alkoxide or tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide. Yield of paraffin sulfonate salt is almost quantitative. By-product dialkyl disulfide can be recycled.

Abstract: A method of preparing N-halogenated organic heterocyclic compounds by reacting in an aqueous mixture under alkaline conditions (e.g. NaOH) and in the presence of a halogenated organic compound (e.g. methylene chloride), a N-hydrogen organic heterocyclic compound containing at least one NH group (e.g. 5,5-dimethylhydantoin) and a halogen-producing chemical (e.g. Br.sub.2).

Abstract: A process for the production of an alkyl .alpha.-keto-carboxylic acid of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms which comprises reacting an alkyl halide of the formula:RXwhere R is as defined above and X represents halogen, in a liquid solvent medium, with carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal carbonyl compound and an alkali metal inorganic base or an alkaline earth metal inorganic base. Optionally, small amounts of LiI and/or bis(1,2-diphenylphosphino)ethane may be present in the reaction as co-catalysts.

Abstract: A process for making alkyl mercaptans in high yield while minimizing the formation of dialkyl sulfides is conducted by reacting an olefin with hydrogen sulfide in an inert solvent (e.g. CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2) containing a Lewis Acid catalyst (e.g. BF.sub.3). Best results are obtained when the olefin is added to the hydrogen sulfide solution at a rate that keeps the amount of unreacted olefin below about 0.05 moles per mole of hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: 6-Carboxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran and ring-substituted derivatives thereof are prepared by reacting a 1,4-disubstituted butane having leaving groups at the one and four positions in a liquid solvent medium with carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal carbonyl compound and an alkali metal inorganic base or an alkaline earth metal inorganic base.

Abstract: Tertiary phosphine oxides, such as triphenylphosphine oxide, are reduced to the corresponding phosphines with trichlorosilane in an inert halogenated hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: Tertiary phosphine oxides, such as triphenylphosphine oxide, are reduced to the corresponding phosphines in the presence of a trialkylaluminum/trialkyl borate reducing agent.

Abstract: Tertiary phosphine oxides, such as triphenylphosphine oxide, are reduced to the corresponding phosphines in the presence of a trialkylaluminum/boron trihalide reducing agent.

Abstract: A process for the production of an arylalkylpyruvic acid of the general formula:(R).sub.n --A--(CH.sub.2).sub.m CH.sub.2 COCOOHwherein:A represents an aromatic hydrocarbon radical containing 1 or 2 condensed benzene rings,each R, which may be the same or different, represents hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl radical with up to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a nitro group or by an alkoxy group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a halogeno, nitrile, nitro or alkylcarbonyloxy group,n is 0 or an integer from 1-3 when A contains one benzene ring, and n is 0 or an integer from 1-5 when A contains two condensed benzene rings and m is 1-20, which comprises carbonylating an arylalkyl halide of the general formula:(R).sub.n --A--(CH.sub.2).sub.m CH.sub.

Abstract: Cyclic-keto-acids of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or a monovalent alkyl radical which can be either straight chain or branched having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms and X=1, 3, or 4, are prepared by reacting a functionalized 1-bromoalkane of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R and X are as defined above and Y is a leaving group, preferably the halogens, in a liquid solvent medium with carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal carbonyl compound and an alkali or an alkaline earth metal inorganic base.